ARTICLES ABOUT WATER BY DATE - PAGE 2

While the New River splits the city's downtown in half, a new water trolley could provide visitors and locals a convenient way to bridge the divide. The free service along Riverwalk would shuttle people across the New River between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to the west and the Cheesecake Factory on Las Olas Boulevard to the east. The one-year pilot project could be in operation by the middle of October if approved by commissioners at their Oct. 7 meeting. "The New River is essentially the first highway of the city of Fort Lauderdale," said Robyn Chiarelli, executive director of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association, which would receive a $150,000 grant for the project from the city.

After "fecal indicators" were found in the Dania Beach water supply, the city warned customers Thursday to boil water for a minute before using it to drink, make ice, cook or wash dishes. Water customers may also use bottled water until the alert is lifted. A well tested positive Tuesday for E. coli and total coliform bacteria, the city said. The water department began collecting samples for testing Wednesday and will notify customers when the water is safe to use. Drinking untreated water that is affected by the bacteria may cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps and headaches.

A boil-water notice has been issued for parts of Coral Springs after two water main breaks Monday morning. According to the Coral Springs Improvement District, residents and businesses in these areas have been affected: The Plaza at Coral Springs, which includes the BJ's Wholesale Club and Outback Steakhouse plazas; Residents along Northwest 87th Avenue in the ZIP code 33071 that are served by the Coral Springs Improvement District; ...

Residents along Fiesta Way (Northeast 20th Avenue) from Las Olas Boulevard to the Rio Barcelona Canal no longer have to abide by a boil-water order, city officials said. The precautionary measure was lifted about noon Sunday. It had gone into effect Aug. 28 after contractors accidentally broke a water line. "The line was repaired and the water was tested," Matt Little, a city spokesman, said Sunday. "Test results show the water is safe for drinking and all other uses. " Approximately 108 households were affected, Little said.

The boil-water order effecting Pembroke Pines water utility customers west of Interstate 75 was lifted Sunday afternoon, Pines police said. Testing showed the water is safe to drink. The boil-water order for the area of I-75 west to U.S. 27 was issued Thursday after following a water line break. Authorities ask anyone with questions regarding the testing of the water to call the City of Pembroke Pines Water Plant at 954-986-5011, the U.S. Water Services Pembroke Pines office at 954-517-0937 or the U.S. Water Services corporate office at 727-848-8292.

Forensic marking technology, which has been in vogue in countries of the United Kingdom for nearly two decades, has now made its way to Lauderhill. Residents in central Lauderhill will now fight property crime using SmartWater, a theft-deterrent product that has produced results in cities such as Fort Lauderdale and Miramar. The forensically encoded clear liquid, when applied to valuables, leaves a mark that is invisible to the naked eye; police officers can detect the presence of SmartWater by using an ultraviolet light, also known as a black light.

Florida's leaders would be poorly cast in a Hollywood blockbuster called "Guardians of the Waterways. " Many of the state's rivers and springs have been in a steady decline for years from pollution and excessive groundwater pumping. Yet lawmakers failed again this year to pass legislation to protect and conserve water, even though there was a bipartisan plan to do both. Now one of Florida's members of Congress, with the support of the state's agriculture commissioner, is pushing a bill that would curtail federal authority to protect state waterways - presumably because Florida has been doing such a swell job. "Florida can better regulate its waters than bureaucrats in D.C.," said Panama City Republican Steve Southerland, sponsor of the grandiosely titled Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act. The bill would block a proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule intended to bring much-needed clarity to which streams and wetlands are subject to protection under the federal Clean Water Act. Instead, the bill would let states decide which waterways should be protected.

Don't get me wrong. I want to find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease and I am happy the Ice Bucket Challenge has given that goal such a tremendous lift. But, how many more dunking videos can one take? It gives new meaning to water torture. I've lost count of how many celebrities have stood in front of video cameras to affirm their willingness to help stamp out ALS. I've got no problem with public testimonies. Well, truth be told, maybe a little. One of my colleagues called me out while I was on vacation.